(Columbus) --- At the request of Governor Bob Taft, Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Correction Director Reginald A. Wilkinson has granted Mr. Sean Michael
Turner permission to be present during the birth of his child. The mother Barbara Turner,
an inmate who is serving a one-year to one and a half-year sentence for Deception to
Obtain Dangerous Drugs out of Hamilton County, is currently housed at the Franklin
Pre-Release Center, located in Columbus.

"This father has shown a sincere desire to be a participatory
parent and accept the responsibilities of fatherhood," said Governor Taft. "When
we have a chance to keep a family together, I feel we have a responsibility to encourage
the strengthening of that family bond and the nurturing of those family ties. DRC is right
to prioritize security, however, in this case it is also important to address the families
needs," said Taft.

The Governor felt the father should be present since he is getting
custody of the child. Hamilton County Children Services has already approved the placement
with the father.

The Department policy currently does not allow family members to be
present during the birth of a child, for security reasons. It is unusual for a request to
be made by family members to be present during the birth of a child to an incarcerated
mother. It has been determined that permitting Mr. Turner to be present for the birth will
not involve any security risk to the mother, child, medical personnel or prison staff.
Last year, there were 92 children born to incarcerated mothers.

The Governor has asked DRC to revisit the current policy regarding
expectant mothers and the procedures surrounding the birth of the child.